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Financial and Transportation Resources

In this health unit, we'll explore some financial and transportation resources available to Cancer Collaborative patients, including:

  • Insurance.
  • Financial assistance.
  • Transportation resources.

Insurance

Thank you for seeking out support with insurance coverage in Clatsop and Pacific Counties. Navigating the insurance marketplace can be confusing and difficult. Please see the following resources for assistance in connection with the best resource to fit your specific need.

In addition, you can also speak to a Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) at either the CMH Astoria or Warrenton Primary Care Clinics for additional information on navigating the insurance marketplace. You can request to speak with a BHC by calling the front desk at each respective clinic.

Clatsop County (OR): Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan

Medicaid is a federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for people with limited income and resources. In Clatsop County, there are several ways to see if you qualify and to apply.

  • Columbia Memorial Hospital: Patient Financial Services can help you apply for Medicaid directly. They are located on the first floor of the CMH Health & Wellness Pavilion. Check in at the front desk near the entrance, and you will be connected to a financial counselor who can assist you. You can also reach them by phone at 503.338.7530.
  • NorthWest Senior and Disability Services (NWSDS): NWSDS is a state agency to help connect and qualify senior and disabled individuals with the resources they need. Counselors can assist you with applying for Medicaid. The office is in Warrenton and can be reached at 503.861.4200.
  • Department of Human Services (DHS): DHS's Self Sufficiency Office can help you directly apply for Medicaid. DHS helps those who are not disabled or seniors apply for the Medicaid-Oregon Health Plan. DHS can be reached directly at 503.325.2021.

Clatsop County (OR): Medicare/Private Insurance Marketplace

Open enrollment to sign up for health insurance coverage in 2020 ended 1/15/20. You can still sign up for private insurance if you meet specific criteria, such as having a baby, getting married or losing your previous coverage. Some local insurance brokers include:

View a complete list of insurance agents in Clatsop County.

Pacific County (WA): Medicaid/Medicare/Private Insurance

Pacific County Information and Assistance staff is available to help all residents in connection with insurance resources. They can help some individuals apply directly for Medicaid and Medicare and can also connect to private insurance brokers in Pacific County.

Information and Assistance can be reached at 360.642.3634. Dial one of the two following extensions to connect with an Information and Assistance specialist who can help you:

Our financial navigator located in the cancer center is available to answer your questions.

Financial toxicity

Treating cancer often involves numerous physicians, specialized equipment and medications. Many people worry about how they will be able to afford cancer treatment. Let us reassure you that there are options.

We also recommend that you take a look at this "Checklist to Avoid Financial Toxicity" from Triage Cancer. It will help you think through employment and disability insurance, insurance coverage, treatment options, as well as practical and personal impacts of cancer treatment. Triage Cancer also has lots of webinars and other resources to help you.

Call the Cancer Collaborative to talk with a financial navigator about financial assistance programs and health insurance. Our oncology social worker is available to help with disability, FMLA, social security benefits and other financial support programs.

Transportation resources

As you may already know, ride resources can be limited in Clatsop and Pacific Counties. Your personal support network should always be your first option for help with transportation. However, there are some programs you may qualify for.

Sunset Empire Transportation District RideAssist Programs (Clatsop County)

If you are applying for Paratransit or Dial-A-Ride, you can call a CMH Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) for assistance in reviewing the needed paperwork to certify a disability. See "Help is Here" for how to contact a BHC.

Dial-A-Ride

Dial-A-Ride is curb-to-curb transportation that travels beyond the scope of the regular Fixed Route Bus and Paratransit Services. It serves the Warrenton/Hammond and Jeffers Garden/Miles Crossing areas or the John Day/Svensen and Knappa areas.

Trip destinations must be in the Astoria and Warrenton areas and within 20 miles from the original pick up. Dial-A-Ride is a shared service, so allow for schedule fluctuations when making appointments. Reservations can be made by calling the RideAssist reservation line at 503.861.7433 (option #2). The reservation line is open M-F, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reservations must be made two or more days in advance. One-way fare of 0-10 miles is $8. One-way fare of 11-20 miles is $12. Drivers will assist customers in getting into and out of the vehicle. Bring only what you can maintain with you during the trip. Riders may bring someone along to accompany them free of charge. All general Sunset Empire Transportation District (SETD) passenger ridership rules apply.

Paratransit

Paratransit offers curb-to-curb transportation for individuals with a certified disability through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Those seeking Paratransit services are required to complete an application to determine eligibility.

Availability of Paratransit services are the same days and times as SETD’s fixed route bus service; excluding commuter routes. Trips must be scheduled at least a day in advance. Trip requests are made by calling RideAssist at 503.861.7433 (option #2). The fare for the ADA Paratransit service is twice (2x) the fixed route fare.

Providence Community Connections

Community Connections is a ministry of Providence Seaside Hospital that transports people to services (grocery store, post office, etc.) and appointments (doctor, etc.) related to your health and well-being.

When scheduling a ride, people who need transportation to a medical appointment get priority. To schedule a ride, seven days’ notice is required. All rides are subject to the availability of drivers, and all services are free of charge. To qualify for Community Connections, you must have a low-income level, no access to a vehicle/alternate transport and be a Clatsop County resident.

People who receive Medicaid transportation funding are not eligible to use Community Connections for medical appointments because transportation is already provided by another agency. Reservations can be made by calling the Providence Seaside Hospital Volunteer Coordinator line at 503.717.7174 (option #2). The reservation line is open M-Th, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pacific County (WA) Transportation Resources

Dial-A-Ride

Dial-A-Ride is a curb-to-curb service for residents of Pacific County, Wash. To qualify, you must be disabled or ADA-certified (non-certified disabled ADA customers will be given a form to fill out for future rides), be a senior 65 years or older, and be coming and going somewhere off the main bus route by more than a quarter mile. ADA-certified passengers have first priority.

Fares are as follows: $0.35 one-way, 20 rides for $7, reduced monthly pass for $10 (senior citizen/disabled). No Sunday service. For North Pacific County, call 360-875-9418, and for South Pacific County, call 360.642.9418.

Washington Medicaid

Residents of Pacific County who have Medicaid insurance may qualify for free transportation to and from all medical appointments and any appointment that Medicaid insurance pays for (counseling, lab work, etc.). Trip requests can be made by calling Paratransit at 800.846.5438.

Medicaid will arrange the lowest-cost transportation to meet clients’ needs, including bus passes/tickets, gas vouchers, shared rides, etc. Available M-F and must be requested at least two business days in advance with Medicaid ID card and appointment information.

Additional Transportation Resources

Oregon Medicaid (OHP)/Medicaid DMAP

Medicaid OHP insurance may qualify you for free transportation to and from all medical appointments. Trip requests can be made by calling NorthWest Rides at 888.793.0439.

Medicaid DMAP insurance may qualify you for free transportation to and from all medical appointments and any appointment that Medicaid insurance pays for (counseling, lab work, etc.). Trip requests can be made by calling NorthWest MedLink at 833.585.4221.

Rides are available M-F and must be requested at least two business days in advance with Medicaid ID card and appointment information.

Medix

Medix transport is available to provide secure medical transport throughout the Pacific Northwest for a fee. The base fee is $25 and $2/mile for transport. If additional services are required (stretcher, oxygen, etc.), there is an additional fee. Trip requests can be made by calling the dispatch line at 503.861.1990.

Taxi Services

  • Royal Cab provides taxi service for all of Pacific and Clatsop Counties, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 360.665.3500 for the Pacific County dispatch and 503.325.5818 for the Clatsop County dispatch.
  • Seaside Roadrunners provides taxi service from Seaside, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 971.777.1025 for service.

Help Is Here

If you are struggling to line up reliable transportation for medical visits, please call the clinical social worker or behavioral health consultant (BHC) associated with one of these clinics: